Circuit-interrupter.



K. C. RANDALL &'H. G. MACDONALD. ClRCUiT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. 21. ms.

1 286,1 0 1 Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR ffarlafiandadand fif "Howard G. MacDonaid.

BY 0 I ATTORNEY KARL C. RANDALL, 0F EDG-EWGOB PARK, AND HOWARD G. MAOBONALD, OF MURRAYS- VILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELEGTiItIC AND IMLLLNUFAC- TUBING CDMPAHY,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we KARL C. RANDALL, a citizen of the United itates, and aresident of Edgevvood Park, in the county or"- Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, and How- ARD G. llLicDoNALn, a. citizen of the United States, and a resident of Murraysville, in the county of Westnioreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Circuit-lnterrupters, of Which'the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to circuit interrupters and particularly to means for effecting either simultaneous or successive closing and successive opening of a plurality of circuit interrupter-s.

One object of our invention is to provide a single operating means for a plurality of circuit inte rupters that shall be adapted to permit either simultaneous or successive closing and successive opening of the interrupters.

Another object of our invention is to provide a circuit-interrupting device of the above indicated character that shall be adapted to be easily ap'plied to existing types of circuit interrupt 22's.

Another object of our invention is to provide a circuit-intern: tin device of the" above-indicated character that shall have in dividual toggles and accelerating devices therefor. thereby permitting the use of a relatively light latching device for the main operating mechanism.

In the carrying out of our invention, we provide a plurality of individual toggle-operated circuit interrupters. a single operating mechanism and means for so connecting the operating mechanism to the interi upters that they are adapted to close either simultaneously or successively and to open successivcly. n e provide individual accelerating devices for the various interrunters in order that a relatively light acecleratingspring may be used on the main operating mechanism. his precludes the use or" a powerful tripping device and. consequently, effects a saving in manufacturing and renders the interrupter relatively more eiiicient because a relatively small trip coil may he used.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings is a diagrammatic view of a circuit-interi opting device embodying our invention and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a modi- Specifieation 01 Letters Patent.

A COZEPGRATION 0.? PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-IETERR U PTEE- Nov.

Application filed catcher 21, 1916. Serial Flo. 1536,9101.

fied form of circuit-interrupting device embodying our invention.

An electric circuit 1 is provided with two series-connected circuit interrupters 2 and 3 having a main operating mechanism 4. .i resistor 5 is'connected across the terminals of one of the interrupters in order that. When they are tripped, the resistor 53 will be inserted in circuit before the circuit is completely opened for the purpose of dissipating the energy and, consequently reducing the arcing incident to the interruption of the circuit.

The circuit interrupter 2 comprises stationary contact members 6 and 7, a movable bridging contact member 8, an operating lever arm 9, a toggle mechanism 10, and an accelerating and retarding device 11. Similarly, the circuit interrupt-er 3 comprises stationary contact members 12 and 13. a movable bridging contact member 14, an operating lever arm 15, a toggle mechanism 16, and an accelerating and retarding device 17.

The main operating mechanism i comprises a rotatable shaft 18 having three lever arms 19, 20 and '21 mounted thereon. In Fig. 1. one end of a link 29 is operatively connected to the outer end of the lever arm firovided with a slot 23 at its at its other end, with a slot 26 that is adapted to receive a pin 2? "which is mounted in one end oi the toggle mechanism 16. The slot 23 is relatively longer than the slot 26, for purposes hereinafter more fully set forth. A link is operatively connected. at one of its ends to one end of the lever arm 20, and, at its 0th: "fl, to a lever arm :29. The lever arm 29 is pivotally mounted upon a bracket 30 at a point intermediate its ends. A relatively light accelerating spring- 31 is attached, at one of its ends. to one end of the lever arm 29 and, at its other end. to a stationary member 32. An opcratingelectromagnet 33 is operatively connected to the lever arm 29 for the purpose of actuating the same under predetermined conditions. A tripping electromagnet 34, comprising a movable core member 35, a restraining spring 36 and a latch 37, which is adapted to engage one end of the lever arm 29, is pro vided for tripping the operating mechanism is under predetermined conditions.

The toggle mechanisms 10 and 16 are 5 adapted to be slightly overset when the respective contact members of the interrupters 2 and 3 are in engagement. Thus, the load of the individual accelerating devices is removed from the main operating mechanism 4.

When the circuit-interrupting device is in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and the tripping device 34 is encrgized, the movable core member 35 moves downwardly to cause the latch member 37 to disengage the lever arm 29. When the lever arm 29 is released, the spring 31 causes the same to turn about its pivot 30 for the purpose of rocking the shaft 18 in a counter- 20 clockwise direction. When the shaft 18 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction. the links 22 and 25 move upwardly but, since the slot 26 is relatively shorter than the slot 23, the toggle mechanism 16 will be 25 moved over its dead-center position to trip the interrupter 3 before the toggle mechanism 10 is actuated to trip the interrupter 2. Thus, the resistor 5 is so connected in circuit that the energy in the circuit 1 will 3 be dissipated before the interrupter 2 is opened.

If it is desired to close the interrupter-s 2 and 3, the eiectromagnet 33 is energized and it causes the shaft 18 to be turned in a 35 clockwise direction for the purpose of moving the links 22 and 25 downwardly. Since the upper ends of the slots 23 and 26 are equal distances from the ends of the links 22 and 25, the toggle mechanisms 10 and 16 will be actuated to simultaneously close the interruptcrs 2 and 3. L ,Flincc the latch 37 is required to counteract only the force and weight of the operating mechanism ll. it will be understood 5 that the tripping coil 34 may be relatively small, and, consequently. the device may be highly efiicient.

When the toggle mechanisms 10 and 16 are moved over their dead-center position. the

spective contact members to disengage very quickly, and the retarding devices will ab sorb the ward the ment.

The interrupter shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings is similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

latter part of their opening movewith the exception that the link 22 is opera tively connected to the lever arm 19, tin-(nigh a relatively still spring" of permitting the interrupters 2 and 3 to be closed successively.

If it is desired to successively close the interrupter-s and 3. as shown in Fig. 2 oi? the drawings, the electromagnet 33 is eneraccelerating devices will cause their re-1 energy of the contactniembers to- 38, tor the 'iurposc,

gized. The energization of the electromagnet 33 causes the lever arms 19 and 21 to turn in a clockwise direction. However, since the pins 24 and 27 are adapted to assume the positions shown in the drawings when the interrupters are open, it will be understood that the toggle device 10 will be immediately actuated to close the interrupter 2. After the interrupter 2 is closed, the pin 27 Will engage the upper part of its slot 26. and further movement of the lever arm 29 will elongate the spring 38 to close the interrupter 3.

The movable member of the electromagnet 33 is adapted to overtravel a relatively small amount when it is actuated to close the interruptcrs, and, consequently, when the interrupters are closed the springs 31 and 3S contract to permit the links 22 and to assume such positions that. when the latch 37 is actuated, the spring 31 will effect the successive opening of the interrupter.

If it is found desirable to close the interrupter 3 before the interrupter 2 is closed, it Will be necessary only to dispose the spring 38 between the link 25 and the lever arm 21. a g

It will be understood that various means may be employed for changing the size of the slots 23 and 26 and thereby efiecting various timeintervals in the operation of the two interrupters and that various other changes maybe made in our invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the same as set forth in the appended claims.

e claim as our invention:

1. The combination with two toggle-operated circuit interrupters, of a single op erating mechanism, clutch for holding the operating mechanism only in its closed position. and means for so connecting the 0pcrating mechanism to the toggle mechanisms of the interrup-ters that they are adapted to close simultaneously and open successively.

2. The combination with a plurality of circuit interrupters having independent toggle mechanisms, of a single operating mechanism for the toggle mechanisms asingle clutch adapted to restrain only the operating mechanism, and means for s0 connecting the toggle mechanisms to the operatingmechanism that the interrupters are adapted to close simultaneously and open successively.

3. The combination with a plurality of circuit interru tcrs haviin inde endent to le b C l mechanisms. of a single operating mechanism for the toggle mechanism. and, lost-motion connecting means toggle mechanisms to the operating mechanism that the interrupters are adapted to open successively and close simultaneously.

4'. The combination with two toggle-0p erated circuit interrupters, of a single op erating mechanism; a single latch for the for so connecting" the they are adapted to close simultaneously and i open successively. I, 1

5. The combination with a plurality of circuit interrupters having independent toggle mechanisms, of a slngle operating mechanism therefor, a latch for the operating incha; nlsm only, and lost-motion connectionsfbe tween the toggle mechanisms and theope r-Yf circuit 'interrupters having independent toggle mechanisms, of a single operating ating mechanism.

6. The combination with a pluralit ofcircnit interrupters comprising in ivtidual toggle mechanisms and accelerating and retarding devices, of a single operating mechanism for the circuit interrupters, and a relatively light latching device for the operating mechanism only.

7. The combination with a plurality of circuit interrupters comprising individual toggle mechanisms and accelerating and retarding devices, of a single operating mechanism for the circuit interrupters, and a relatively light latching and accelerating de-- vice for the operating mechanism only.

8. The combination with a plurality of circuit interrupters having independent toggle mechanisms, of a single operating mechanism, a relatively light latch for the operatin mechanism only, and independent accelerat ng springs for the toggle and the operating mechanisms. 9; The combination with a plurality of mechanism, lost-motion connecting means between the toggle and the operating mechanisms, and a latch adapted to be of such characteristics as to restrain only the operatin mechanism.

in testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 16th day of ()ctober, 1916.

KARL C. RANDALL. HOWARD G. MACDONALD. 

